La Quinta High School opened its doors in 1963 and now enters its forty-second school year. “La Quinta”, which means fifth in Spanish, acquired its name as the fifth high school built in the Garden Grove Unified School District and as an acknowledgement of the Hispanic heritage of this area. La Quinta is well known for its award-winning Title 1 program, nationally recognized baseball team, magnet business program, renowned music program, and outstanding student achievement and attendance.

La Quinta is a comprehensive high school currently enrolling 1,765 students, grades nine through twelve, who reside in Westminster, Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, and Santa Ana. Each year the district permits one hundred “parental choice” transfers to attend La Quinta. Students who receive these transfers reside within the district boundaries but outside of the La Quinta residential attendance area. Most incoming students transition from McGarvin and Irvine Intermediate Schools.

La Quinta enjoys a tremendous cross section in its ethnic background, with approximately 65% of our student body being, Asian, 20% Hispanic, and 12% Caucasian and 3% other. This represents approximately 26 different home language designations.

The faculty and staff have worked to create a challenging academic environment to meet the needs of our diverse population.

La Quinta offers advanced placement courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, English Language and Literature, French, Spanish, US History, US Government, Economics and Statistics.

In the past seven years, La Quinta has produced 20 National Merit Finalists, more than any high school in our surrounding area. The class of 2005 sent approximately 90% of its graduates to higher education; 25% to four-year colleges and 65% to two-year colleges.

In addition, the Aztecs have distinguished themselves athletically over the past 40 years with 174 League Championships, 20 CIF final game appearances and 15 CIF team championships.

These achievements have made the faculty, staff and community that La Quinta High School serves very proud.